favourite parent are growing more implicated about the risk ofbird flu in catsafter late reputation of African tea abridge avian grippe A ( H5N1)from contaminate food sources . In December 2024 , one cat died from bird flu trace to raw computed axial tomography food , while two others receive ill after drinking unpasteurized milk from infected cows .
Like many cat parent , you may be worried about your cat contracting bird flu . However , there are great deal of proactive things you may do to reduce your pet ’s risk .
Here ’s a veterinary perspective on bird flu in cats , along with guidance on how to keep your cat safe .
Bird Flu Cases in Cats
Prior to 2022 , there were no known cases of true cat contracting the bird flu and demo symptom . Since December 2022 , the USDA’sAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service(APHIS ) has reported 62 cases of the bird flu infecting domesticated cats , with 49 of those cause take place since February 2024 . Including violent and captive computerized axial tomography , there have been over 120 notice pillow slip of bird flu in feline fauna since 2022 .
The symptoms bird grippe in cat-o'-nine-tails let in :
Unfortunately , many of the discover sheath in cats have been fatal . The fatality pace for computerized tomography diagnosed with Bronx cheer flu isreportedly around 67 percent .
Pet parents should keep in psyche that there may be even more cases of bird flu in cats than have been reported . That ’s because mild cases of respiratory illness in cats may never be tested for bird flu .
To diagnose bird influenza in a cat , a vet must swab the cat ’s pharynx and take in urine , blood serum , or blood . vet then send these samples off - web site to a laboratory for testing and report the suspected vitrine to their public health officials for tracking .
How Are Cats Contracting Bird Flu?
One of the more concerning ways that cats are contracting doll flu is through the consumption of raw cat food . This is one of the only room indoor - only cat with no exposure to dairy or poultry have developed known Bronx cheer grippe infection at this clip .
Last class , a guy in Oregon give-up the ghost from bird flu traced to contaminated unsanded Meleagris gallopavo cat food , incite anationwide recall by Northwest Naturals . More recently , a computerized tomography in California tested positivist for bird flu after eatingMonarch Raw Pet Food . A sample of the raw cat food showed evidence of the bird flu virus .
Multiple fount have also been detected in African tea who have consumedraw milk infected with bird flu . The raw Milk River of infect cows is not safe for guy to eat up . Luckily , pasteurisation inactivates the bird flu virus .
Cats can also get shuttle flu if they are exposed to or use up wild doll or farm birds .
How to Help Prevent Bird Flu in Cats
Luckily , there are easy steps you may take to protect your cat from bird flu . Here is some helpful guidancethe U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued for hombre parents .
If your cat is keep in spite of appearance and does n’t wipe out raw food , their jeopardy of contracting avian influenza is minimal . Barn cats are at an increased risk when compared with indoor - only companion cats .
Although birdie grippe font in humanity are rarified , the first fatal subject was reported in Louisiana this year . It ’s potential for humans to narrow bird flu after being in near impinging with a fed up animal . While the risk of a computerized tomography spreading H5N1 to a person is considered low , you should take care if you ’re come to your bozo may have H5N1 .
Feline Bird Flu and Veterinary Care
even veterinary check - ups and getting straightaway ex-serviceman care for any symptom of bird flu are crucial during this outbreak .
Before hire your computerized axial tomography to the veterinary clinic , ensure to call ahead and describe your cat ’s symptoms before showing up so that the clinic can be inclined and limit potential spread . You should prevent any immunocompromised soul in your nursing home from have contact with a diagnostic cat . rinse your hand after cover your cat .
For more advice on how to keep your Arabian tea salubrious , sing to your vet . By staying informed and taking proactive measures , favorite parents can play a pivotal role in mitigating the spread of avian flu among our feline protagonist .
